Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-09-13
CATARRH.

NHE TERM CATARRH is APPLIED TO A
Il peculiar disorder of the nostrils and ad-
jacent parts, which prevails to an alarming
consequences.
The most prominent and characteristic
feature is morbid discharge from the head,
varying in its nature at different times.
In some there Is an almost constant flow
OF clear, aCrid fluid, but oftener an offensive,
purulent or muco-purulent, greenish-yellow
matter is secreted, which accumulates in
the nostrlls or drops into the throat, neces-
stating its frequent removal by blowing the
nose or cXpectoratiOn, and often by both
processes. sometimes patients feel as
though their head was in state of rotten
ness so great is the amount of matter dis
charged and so fetid is its oder. The pa
tient is greatly annoyed by the constant
dropping into the throat of the morbid
matter from the head, and as recumbent
position naturally favors the flow downward
his rest is frequently disturbed from this
cause, Many sufferers are obliged to lie 4. ith
the head very much elevated in order to
sleep with some degree OF comfort.
In others tough, viscid and offensive
phlegm collects behind and above the soft
palate, in the passage between the throat and
head, adhering 10 the parts with gluish tenac-
ity. It's lodgment embarrasses respiration
and creates sensation OF irritation and un-
easiness in the affected locality, which gives
rise to Il constant and almost irresistible de-
sire to relieve that discomfort by drawing
the mucus into the throat SO as to eject it by
the mouth. This practice, popularity known
as hawking" is characteristic of catarrh,
and proves as embarrassing TO the one af-
feeted as 1t is disagreeable to those around
him.
Again, the offensive matter hardens and
deposits itself ON the membrane in the shape
OF dry, hard concretiuns, which are dis
charged by way Of the ii6stfils or threat In
Jumps or fragments of deep green tint In
some cases these fncTustations accumulate
to such an extent as to form regular plug
i'll the nose, which obstructs breathing and
produce serious discomfort. SO firmly do
these incrustatons adhere to the point OF
attachment that their removal usually re-
quires the most violent efforts; not unfre-
quently they have to be torn from the mem
brane. Occasionally Il solid east of notable
size is expelled on which there are gen rally
traces Of blood, but in some eases the cast
presents tubular appearance, being of exact
shape OF the nasal cavity. This condition is
indicative of liberation, which, in time,
may destroy the onystructure OF the nose
and produce subsequent fattening OF that
organ.
Cases are occasionally met with in which
thick, yisCid, shiny secretion coats the
membrane OF the nasal cavities and then
putreiies, giving rise to Il stencil which is
really overpowering, ana sufficiently fetd
to poison the atmosphere of whole room;
and there are Others in which ell the secre-
nons OF the membrane are suspended, oaus-
ing an unpleasant feeling OF dryness heat
and feVerlshness in the head and nose-a
condlthioIn coaethI popularly known as DRY
cavities OF the bones OF the forehead and
face, giving rise to II dist essing sensation of
heavy weight or compression over the fore
head, especially in the region above and be-
tween the eyes, and to u feeling OF fulness
heat, irritation, s0r' ness or pai in the nos
trils near the root of the nose, as well as in
the upper part of the throat, above and be-
hind the soft palate. Sometimes there is
pain obstinately fixed in some particular
part, as in the temple, on the top of the
head, at the buck of the neck, or behind the
orbits, and, occasionally, pain manifests
itself in the face of so severe a character
that 1t is frequently mistaken for neuralgia.
The breath is always tainted, and at times
assumes an exceeding fetid and siekening
odor. In some cases it becomes so revolt
ingly offensive as to render the sufferer an
object OF disgust TO himself as well as to
others.
The nasal membrane is thickened and
contested, causing the nose to be stopped up,
sometimes on one side, sometimes on the
other, and often on both, giving rise to a
disagrecable, stuhy sensation in the head,
ana occasioning violent and prolonged
paroxysms of sneezing.
The voice is weak, lndistinct and husky.
or OF nasal character, displaying IA sort of
shifting quality. Oftentimes there is a con-
tinuous hoarseness and diseordance. There
is also sense of irritation in the part
and frequent attempts to clear the throat of
phlegm, producing the sound 'hem," more
or less. forcibly. In some cases patients
omplain of an uncomfortable feeling OF
iullness, or choky sensation in the throat
and in Others of Il distressing and almost
constant dryness, for the temporary relief OF
which they have to swallow frequently.
Others; again, speak of a constant bad or
nauseous taste in the mouth or throat.
The stomach generally suffers more or less
ana becomes weak and irritable: the appe-
tlte is capricious and nearly always bad in
the morning. The patient is languid, unable
to perform mental or physical labor with
the usual facility, is nervous, depressed in
spirits, at times fearful, timid, agitated and
WgI nd eli thn r,aar
ory weakened and permanent impairment
seriously threatened.
The mucous membrane soon becomes
morbidly sensitive to unfavorable inhu-
ences, and in spite OF the. utmost care be-
comes affected from the slightest causes, so
that at last breath of wind upon the lining
OF the nose or throat becomes productive os
cold, and gives rise to serious disturbances
OF the respiratory organs. Thus the patient
is subject TO frequent and repeated colds,
each attack aggravating the disease by CIV
extent of surface than its predecessor. In
this manner the difficulty spreads from or
gan to organ, invading the throat, larnyx,
traohea and tS bronchial @ tubes, tubes, until, en-
the finer qualifications OF the bronchi, when
but slight impulse is required to send it to
the lungs. Catarrh may, and often does,
those contain ng mucous membrane, such
as the stomach, bowels, kidneys, etc.
By the employment OF proper inhalatlons
in the form of medicated vapor mot steam
or spray) we are able to produce immediate
and direct action upon the diseased surface
in the pharynX and nasal passages, for air
will find its way into the most remote and
intricate cavities, where it is utterly impos-
sible to make fluid applications. BY these
means every case can be cured
Persons desiring treatment by this system
of practice can use the remedy at home as
well as at our Office, and which will cause
no inconvenience or hindrance to business
whatever.
have seen so many of these cases cured
that do not consider any case hopeless un-
less the disease has advanced to the chest
and that both lungs are seriously involved.
Even then the inhalations aid us in dis
solving the mucus and in contracting and
do with the same success. The very best
references from those already cured.